In Wednesday’s State of the State address, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo vowed to make education reform a key priority in 2012. “We must make our schools accountable for the results they achieve and the dollars they spend,” he said.
Cuomo explained how, in his first year as governor, he learned that everyone in public education – from teachers to bus drivers – has a lobbyist. Everyone, that is, but students. “Consider me lobbyist for the students,” the governor told state lawmakers.
While offering few details, Cuomo identified two key areas for improvement: teacher productivity (measured in terms of student achievement) and managerial efficiency. He said a new commission, not yet named, would evaluate and propose specific recommendations.
The New York-based Foundation for Education Reform & Accountability (FERA) welcomed the governor’s bold rhetoric. While stressing that Cuomo is “right on the need for change,” FERA is worried the new commission might content itself with half-measures that amount to “little more than Band-Aids” in the face of severe trauma.
“Rather than tinkering around the edges of reform to avoid attack by the education establishment, the commission should push the gas pedal all the way to the floor in the drive for truly transformative changes to the state’s educational system,” said Jason Brooks, FERA’s Director of Research.
